Although Houston County is preparing to raise the rate at which it taxes property values, residents in unincorporated areas will pay a lower rate on fire taxes.
The fire-tax millage rate will drop from 1.76 to 1.30, but would now be assessed on real and personal property - the land and the buildings that occupy it. In the past, only the buildings had been taxed.
The county's overall millage rate will increase from 9.28 to 9.82. Residents in incorporated areas of the county do not pay a fire tax.
Ned Sanders, chair of the Houston County commission, pointed out Tuesday that despite the looming tax increase, rates remain lower than most neighboring counties.
"I think Houston County still is a good place to live," he said. "I think it's an economical place to live. I think citizens still get a good buy for their dollar."
Two hearings on the millage rate were held Tuesday. A third and final hearing will be held at 4 p.m. in the County Annex on July 27 before commissioners vote on the tax hike.
In other news, the county is going to look at raising environmental health fees. Sanders appointed an ad hoc committee of commissioners Tom McMichael and Larry Thomson to study the issue with the county health department.
The fees typically are paid by developers or property owners when dealing with inspections related to food service or the installation of sewage systems, septic tanks and swimming pools.
The county also passed a resolution in support of a rail line between Atlanta and Macon, which commissioners said they hoped would encourage other Middle Georgia communities to support public transportation.
"Since air pollution is a regional matter, it doesn't necessarily abate political boundaries," Sanders said.
Distributed by the Associated Press
